EIA data · PA
Pennsylvania: what each way of heating costs
The short answer
In Pennsylvania, electricity averaged 20.86¢/kWh (2.8¢ above the US average). That puts mini-split heat at about $21 per million BTU at rated efficiency, versus $15 for natural gas. A heat pump loses on fuel cost at rated efficiency, and loses at 5°F.
Fuel prices are EIA SEDS 2024 residential averages per million BTU of fuel, divided by 90% furnace/boiler efficiency. Electricity is the EIA trailing-twelve-month residential average. Heat pump efficiency: ENERGY STAR median cold-climate system, HSPF2 10 (COP 2.93) rated, COP 2 at 5°F.
Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | 99% design temp | Heat pump $/yr | Gas $/yr | Oil $/yr | Propane $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 19°F | $1,191 | $764 | $1,464 | $1,676 |
| Pittsburgh | 10°F | $1,310 | $807 | $1,546 | $1,770 |
| Scranton | 11°F | $1,398 | $864 | $1,656 | $1,896 |
| Erie | 12°F | $1,442 | $890 | $1,706 | $1,953 |
Keep going
- Cost-to-heat calculator: put in a ZIP for your own number instead of a state average.
- All city estimates, sizing by design temperature and incentives.
- States with a similar electricity price: Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio.
Questions people ask
What is the electricity price in Pennsylvania?
EIA reports a residential average of 20.86¢/kWh for Pennsylvania over September 2025 to August 2026; the latest month, August 2026, was 21.77¢/kWh. The US average over the same twelve months was 18.04¢/kWh.
Is a heat pump cheaper than natural gas in Pennsylvania?
Per million BTU of delivered heat, a heat pump at its rated HSPF2 costs about $21 versus $15 for natural gas at 90% efficiency. At 5°F, when efficiency is lowest, the heat pump costs about $31 per million BTU.